Directions

1. 1. Place the water and salt in a very large pot (it should be no more than three fourths filled with the water). Cover, and bring to a very rapid boil.
2. 2. Add the lobsters, 1 at a time, and cover.
3. 3. Bring the water back to a boil as quickly as possible.
4. 4. After the water returns to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer the lobsters gently.
5. 5. For soft-shell lobsters, it will take about 12 minutes to cook a 114-pound lobster after the water has returned to a boil.
6. 6. For lobsters that are 1 1/2 pounds to 2 pounds, allow 15 to 18 minutes after the return. For lobsters that are 2 1/2 pounds to 5 pounds, allow 20 to 25 minutes after the return. (If you're cooking hard-shell lobsters, plan to cook them a few extra minutes.)
7. 7. Remove lobsters from the pot and let cool for a few minutes. Serve 1 lobster per person.